cloudy

Thanks ProDave - that makes sense. To put some numbers to it - the inverter I was looking at can do MPPT up to 580v at 14A with 2 strings. In theory with 36 OCV panels that could be 16x2strings - giving approx 7.5kW... SteamyTea - really based on DC output? I had thought it seemed to be the inverter certification/maximal AC output that the DNOs want to check - but that's just from my limited research to date...

I'm looking at running a simple on grid system, preferably within the G98 requirements for ease of DNO registration. The panels will be minimally slanted, and can only face slightly E/W or flat (large garden - will go on top of existing large (9x3m) pergolas). It would seem to make sense, given the less than optimal PV panel situation, that I should significantly over provision the output, to ensure cloudy/winter days maximise the 16A for as long as possible. I understand the inverter will clip any excess generation - but am unsure on how far that can be pushed. ie: if generating 6kw on midsummers day, the inverter is having to clip 2kw, becoming a large heater! (or perhaps it just takes the MPPT into a less efficient zone to help dissipate power?) I guess this depends a lot on the inverter chosen - but interested to hear whether this line of thinking makes sense...